Should the examination date change now mean that your son has a conflict with an existing confirmed commitment, they can seek pre-approval for a Derived Grade. NZQA will approve applications on a case-by-case basis, but the evidence must show that:

• The student cannot sit their exam at another exam centre. (Where possible, students are expected to sit their exam at another exam centre).
• The commitment was made prior to the announcement of the exam timetable change on 25 August 2021.
• The commitment cannot be changed.

In addition to this if the commitment does not subsequently occur, pre-approval will be withdrawn and the student must sit the exam.

It is also important to note that disruptions due to overseas travel, including becoming trapped overseas or unable to return to New Zealand before their exams are not reasons for a student to be awarded a derived grade. NCEA assessments are not offered to students in MIQ facilities. Families are encouraged to factor this into any decision to travel out of New Zealand.

For any pre-approval Derived Grade applications please contact James Burnside (jburnside@stbedes.school.nz) for further information about the process.

Learning recognition credits (LRCs)

NZQA announced on 9 September that schools which have suffered from 16 days of lockdown this year, such as St Bede’s, are eligible to receive LRCs, as was the case in 2020.

This means your son will now be awarded learning recognition credits at a rate of 1 LRC per 5 credits achieved through assessment, up to a cap of 8 LRCs at Level 1, and 6 LRCs at Levels 2 and 3.

The thresholds for endorsements and University Entrance remain unchanged for our students. This, however, would change if we suffer from further lockdown disruption and miss 20 days of school.